Oberstdorf v. Seefeld
 

Although we've just barely put away our 2005 Christmas decorations, we've started thinking about Christmas 2006. DH and I have decided we'd like to have a white Christmas this year (as opposed to the green one we've had the past two years). We were thinking about spending the Christmas/New Year's holidays in Seefeld, Austria, staying at the Klosterbrau (a definite splurge) but then we happened to catch today's Discover Germany program on DW tv (ahh, the power of marketing): http://www.dw-world.de/dw/episode/0,...707657,00.html

Anyway, we decided that the Allgau region might be more what we had in mind, specifically basing ourselves (me, DH, and DC aka darling cocker) at the Hotel Oberstdorf (hotel-oberstdorf.de), which seems very nice, friendly and more casual than Klosterbrau (and dogs stay free). We are planning to ask my mother and brother to come along as well. My brother would fly into Munich and catch the direct train from there; my mother would drive down with us from Brussels (probably overnighting in Heidelberg or Augsburg on the way down and Baden-Baden on the way back).

I am the only one who would really want to alpine ski--my husband and mother have no interest, my brother might do it for only a day or two. And I am only a low-intermediate skier who likes the fresh air as much as anything else (I would like to take a lesson, too) and won't spend more than a few hours on the slopes at a time. DH might do a bit of nordic skiing. Oberstdorf is supposed to have things for nonskiers to do, sleigh rides, walks, skating, etc. Plus just soaking up the atmosphere. (ditto for Seefeld, of course.)

I have heard lots of good things about Seefeld around Christmas/New Years. Oberstdorf seems to be less well-known, which actually adds to its appeal. My husband is kind of keen on being in Germany for Christmas as he is half-German. It would also be *significantly* less expensive than spending that holiday week at the Kloserbrau. We would prefer to keep things more low key and relaxed.

Anyone who's been to both? Anyone familiar with that particular hotel in Oberstdorf? Is the town really crowded at Christmas? Opinions welcome...and thanks!

Hi BTilke,

as you addressed me on the other thread about Brussels et. al. I will weigh in here - if only for topping.

Unfortunately I don't think I have ever been to Oberstdorf. I cannot help out here, I am afraid.

I have been to Seefeld on the other hand - but just for day stops back when I used to live in Innsbruck for a while. I went hiking there during summer a few times. If you are interested in Alpine skiing, as I am, I am sort of divided of whether to recommend Seefeld. It would not be my first choice if I wanted to ski.
That said, it does have some good reputation for cross-country skiing. I can imagine that as it is located in sort of a basin/ high plane which would seem to be good terrain for that. I only do the downhill skiing version, though, and have no expertise again on this part of the matter.

The Klosterbraeu obviously is one of the most famous Alpine hotels and it should indeed be a splurge and an experience of its own to stay there.

Regarding your husband's preferation of being in Germany rather than Austria, I (being German) feel sort of honoured, but I cannot see much of a difference anyway. They name a few items on the menu a bit differently (think of icky "Lungenbraten", translating to lung roast, which in fact is a tasty filet mignon ;-) ), but are quite nice chaps otherwise. Even though it might not exactly be politically correct and despite that the Austrians will hate me for this and well aware that the combination of the two countries at least to some extent cannot look back on a very successful nor pleasant streak of common history, there still is a lot of resemblance between the countries. I will gladly concede, though, that the Austrians appear to be much more successful currently than us Germans (hope I gained some ground again with the Austrians for this ;-) ).

I do hope that somebody with first hand knowledge will provide you with better insights.

Have a great evening!
hsv

Thanks, hsv! Hopefully, *somebody* here has been to Oberstdorf and can give me feedback.
We want next Christmas to be laid back and relaxing (mit schnee!). As impressive as the Klosterbrau is, I get the feeling it might be a little too stuffy and bling bling. We don't want to have to dress up for dinner on this trip. The Hotel Oberstdorf, while apparently a quality hotel, seems a lot more low key.

Hubby and I also have been contemplating a German Christmas in 2006, and happened to see that program on Deutsche-Welle, too. I had been thinking about Mittenwald or Tegernsee, but will add Oberstdorf to the list. Here's a website with more info: www.oberstdorf.de/

I hope we hear from someone who has visited the town in winter, B!

I have been to both - but that was ten years ago and I am not sure what has changed since the mid 90s.

Yes, hsv, Seefeld is VERY well known for its cross-country skiing. (2x Olympic Games) It is correct that Seefeld is located on a sort of plateau with rolling hills here and there, beautiful forests, and some high mountains in the north, east and west. It is very sunny for this reason and due to its elevation slightly more snow reliable than Oberstdorf (1200 m vs. 800 m). The Alpine skiing in Seefeld is quite limited. It is good for two days, not more. The runs at the Gschwandtkopf are beginner level mostly while the Rosskopf is more challenging.

Seefeld in general is quite upscale. I found it to be expensive, the guests were mostly 50+ at age ... One advantage might be that it is very close to Innsbruck, good for a day of sightseeing and culture.

I think the better choice for you is Oberstdorf. There is excellent cross-country skiing there too (in the valleys in the south in particular) and the Alpine skiing is much better than in Seefeld. Especially the Fellhorn with connections to the Kleinwalsertal is good. Other options for a half or full day are the Nebelhorn (I liked the upper sections) and the Söllereck (families, beginner level mostly).

Please keep in mind that after Christmas the ski jump event "Vierschanzentournee" starts in Oberstdorf which attracts crowds every year. Book early!

Ingo

There is surprisingly little about oberstdorf in the usual travel media, which may very well be a good thing.
But I did stumble upon this piece of trivia, which is probably of interest to Americans only: in the famous opening clips of ABC's Wide World of Sports, that horrible ski jump tumble (aka, the Agony of Defeat) took place at the Oberstdorf ski jump in 1970.

Well I am following this thread with great interest, as I have set my mind on a white christmas as well (away from the baking heat of Australia). I am interested in your comments, Ingo, about the difference in altitude translating into a difference in snow reliability. Is there data somewhere which can provide a percent probability of snow on the ground at christmas? I did a google search for this data, but didnt come up with anything.

Another issue I am coming across is getting a short term stay around christmas/new year. A lot of places seem to require seven days. Anyway, BTilke, I will be looking into the Oberstdorf. Might be a real Fodors GTG!!

I've been to both Oberstdorf and Seefeld and I preferred Seefeld, although I can't really explain why - just the feel of the place I guess. Oberstdorf felt busy and crowded, which put me off a bit.

I visited both on day trips, and didn't ski, so can't offer a comparison there.

On this particular trip we spent a few days in Berchtesgaden and a few days in Mittenwald, as they were good bases for what we wanted to see and do in the area. It was a fabulous trip - tons of snow and loads of holiday cheer.

Whatever you decide, I hope you get lots of snow!

Thanks, Meln! What time of you were in Oberstdorf and how long ago? We have only been to Seefeld once, not in winter, and it is lovely for walking. But...as I said above, the hotel we had in mind there would be more a "production" than we're looking for this Christmas. As it turns out, my brother-in-law, his wife and their two kids might join us for Christmas as well...so we want someplace fairly casual (one of the kids is only 5) with lots to do.
Fingers crossed for snow, too, but even if there isn't a lot of snow on the ground right outside our door, I'm pretty sure there'd be snow in the mountains to look at...

Oops, that should have been what time of year were you in Oberstdorf?

Obersdorf hosts one of the Four Hills Ski Jumping during the Christmas period.
I would check these dates out before deciding on Obersdorf.
This event brings many thousands of people into that area.
If not for this event, I would vote for Obersdorf. The downhill skiing is superior to Seefeld, the town more casual.
I like the surroundins of Seefeld, but often think that one needs a fur coat and a dog to be permitted to walk in the street.

Hi Bitke:

This is a tough one! Trying to keep all parties happy.

I have not been to Oberstdforf. But I have been to Seefeld. Ingo, as usual, has given a very informed response. I would only like to add that, to me, Christmas time in Germany means the wonderful Christkindle markets and all that goes with it! (Gluwein..yummy)

Seefeld is a wonderful locale! Beutiful valley. Good for a day ski for you! BUT it is very near Innsbruck on one side, and Mittenwald and Garmish on the other side.
Both would offer great options beside skiing. I think the train from Munich goes thru Garmish, Mittenwald and I think it makes it to Seefeld..but I am not sure. I always seem to have a car when I am over there.

Have fun planning

JOHN

Molker, thanks...we have the dog, but not the fur coat...would a fur trimmed parka make the cut? Probably not ;-)

We did some preliminary checking, there are still plenty of rooms available at the hotel we have in mind. The ski jump competition in Oberstdorf this year is Dec. 28-29. It sounds kind of tempting to stick around til then, it would be a sight worth seeing, the jump itself looks terrifying!
http://www.oberstdorf.de/index.shtml?skiflugschanze

Fur Trim only ?- Seefeld fashion Police may not like it unless mink or other luxury pelt.

I have always liked Seefeld except at Christmas due to the crowds.
The Klosterbrau is a very good place - but not casual.
I would think you would find better value in Obersdorf and certainly less fashion police.

I don't know if I was just out of it while I was there but I really wasn't put off by any kind of super fashionista scene when we were in Seefeld last year. In fact didn't notice it much at all (in Kitzbuhel this year, by comparison, I really noticed it) If anything, I was a bit put off in Seefeld by the large "family" hotels with lots of space for lots of tourists to gather in realtively "soulless" lobbies. Don't get me wrong, it's a very cute town with lots of winter stuff going on, but from my experience I'd just not consider it super upscale.

Sorry I can't add any impressions of Oberstdorf to contrast with but I'll be watching this thread for more info for possibilities for our family Christmas next year. The ski info you're getting is very useful. I'm starting to think about the dolomites but am just not sure of snow surity there.

Whichever place you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy a white Christmas. I recommend it highly. For sure I recall great raclette in Seefeld. That alone would be worth a journey as they say in Michelin.

Nicol - no, I don't know of a special data base somewhere about the snow reliability, sorry. If you consider that the elevation is 800 m vs. 1200 m (O. vs. S.) you can easily imagine that Seefeld is more snow reliable. This year they had both a white Christmas. Who knows about next year ... ? But I think that the snow reliability in Seefeld is almost 100%, while I think Oberstdorf has about 80%.

Folks, do you know about the small valley called Kleinwalsertal, which is right next to Oberstdorf? The villages are at the same elevation like Seefeld (1100m - 1300m) and it might be an option. Also for those who think Oberstdorf could be a bit crowded - the villages in Kleinwalsertal are much smaller. I'd say Hirschegg and especially Mittelberg are the best options. Cross-country skiing is not as good as in Oberstdorf, however, since the valley ground is not as wide. But Oberstdorf and Kleinwalsertal are not far from each other and you can change from one to the other easily.

John is right about the rail connections - Seefeld is a stop on the route Munich-Garmisch-(Seefeld-)Innsbruck and thus much better for day trips.

Ingo

Hi Ingo,

I almost went there once. We ended up going to Brand instead. It's supposed to be very beautiful in Kleinwalsertal.

Author: BTilke
Date: 01/12/2006, 07:24 am

Thanks, Meln! What time of you were in Oberstdorf and how long ago?


BTilke -

We were there in mid-December 2001. We've been on many trips since, but it was one of our best (so far).

Just a followup...we had to spend Christmas/NY at home due to work commitments and took a short trip to Baden-Baden instead (which was great).

But I'm watching the live ski jumping from Oberstdorf today and it doesn't look like there's much snow on the ground, so I guess I'm glad we didn't go.

Perhaps we'll try again in 2008 in January, after the ski jumping hoopla is over.